Chicago has received the go-ahead to spend $182 million in airline passenger ticket taxes on design drawings for a possible future phase of expanding O'Hare International Airport, officials said Friday.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday approved the use of the ticket taxes to pay for the design of two new runways, an extension to an existing runway and a planned western passenger terminal.

Although FAA approval will allow Chicago to begin design and engineering on the remaining elements of the $15 billion O'Hare project, the major airlines still refuse to help pay for construction.

While supporting the concept of additional O'Hare runways, the airlines have told Chicago that they oppose more spending on the project until a thorough re-evaluation is completed.

The airlines specifically oppose the western terminal, which they say is too far from the main terminal complex and would disrupt passenger and baggage connections.

Despite airline opposition and Chicago's failure to line up private investors, the city still plans to begin construction next year.